I am looking at l79 1965 Chevelles and wanted to know some of the subtle ways they are different than a standard 327 externally. I know to check for matching numbers, also date coded snowflake intake, and double hump heads. I see the thermo house is different and the alternator pulley looks larger. The distinctive chrome dual snorkel air clean gets put on way to many clones. How about carburetor, do the use deep groove pulleys, can you ID an L79 from the engine pad? Making a list of all the things I should be looking for on this frequently copied engine.

I have owned '65 Chevelles and 60's Nova, and have done quite a few L79 "clone" motors. As you already know, you can buy all of the
external "add-ons" to make the engine appearance identical to a L79. Unless you can buy a car with all of the pedigree paperwork, such
as protecto-plate, original invoice, owner history, you're going on the seller's word. Even VIN pad stampings can be faked. My Malibu L79
was a perfect copy of the real deal, but I was always honest about what the buyer was getting.

I also have a 409" car, which was not an original 409" car, but you could not tell the difference unless I told you. Therein lies the problems,
anything can be faked and sold as original. Someone will always believe it and pay a premium for it, unfortunately.

Bobalouie

when it comes to differentiating an original engine pad from a "cloned" pad, the examination of the broach marks is often the only way to differentiate. mike

not to sound stupid but broach marks are ??????

Not stupid at all....broach mark are like little "stretch marks" that you'll find on the VIN pad. They look like little groove or furrows that
are actually machining marks from the factory. Normally what happens, when a block is rebuilt, the machine shop will deck the block
to clean it up, and it machines off these marks, leaving a smooth an shiny VIN pad.

I know some engine builders that will not deck the block for this reason if it is important to keep the original stampings for "born-with"
confirmation.

Thanks for that explanation, I knew what they were when you described them, now I know what they call them.